Apple-y Ever After For Tech Mums?

Tech companies don’t have the best reputation when it comes to diversity in the workforce, whether it be ethnic diversity or the number of women in tech roles. But hot on the heels of Nadella’s gaffe at, of all places, the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, both Apple and Facebook have announced the intention to pay to freeze their female employees’ eggs.

Yes, you read that right. Both Apple and Facebook are offering up to $20,000 (£12,500) for those female US employees (covered by their insurance plans), who wish to extract and freeze their eggs. Facebook has been offering the service since the beginning of this year, and Apple are to join the baby bandwagon from January 2015.

In a statement, Apple said, “We want to empower women at Apple to do the best work of their lives as they care for loved ones and raise their families.” The theory behind the policy is that by not forcing women to choose between motherhood and professional progression, the companies will be able to attract, and keep, top female talent. “We continue to expand our benefits for women, with a new extended maternity leave policy, along with cryopreservation and egg storage as part of our extensive support for infertility treatment,” the statement continued.

There's a whole generation of women out there who have followed ‘the new dream’ - built a successful career. But many have done so at the expense of having a family. Of course, many have also juggled both, but Apple’s announcement has just opened up a whole new direction for many women in the US. Is it a good thing? I think so. How about you? Let us know your thoughts below.